Anne Constance Smedley (20 June 1876 – 9 March 1941) was a British artist, playwright, author and founder of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.

The couple became close collaborators: working together to combine design, illustration, text and theatre.

[2] She also had a strong influence on her godchild Joan Ellen Rayner who had come from Australia to study social work in England.

She approached the club with the support of Christina Gowans Whyte, Elsa Hahn, Violet Alcock, and an American, Jessie Trimble.

Aspiring career women needed a place where they could entertain without having to invite people to their homes.

By now the committee had decided to extend their net for new members from writers to professional women and even the daughters or wives of prominent men.